Can attest to this, still have consistent great sex with my SO of 2 years however whenever I visit my partner I'm in a LDR with (and don't know nearly as well by a long shot) the majority of our few weekends together consist of banging our brains out. Newer shinier relationships tend to have alot of NRE which is almost like being high when your around the other person where more mature relationships have a deeper steadier love (where you mind is not on drugs).

agree roommate would be the best option, Hoboken/Jersey City is another option. If you share you room with someone you could definitely find something there, the path train is right there and it's a pretty nice area :)

no your pops is right, everyone here lives in constant fear. I don't leave home without brass knuckles and two cans of mace. every neighborhood is crawling with murderers and rapists; the nicest neighborhoods only need to worry about theft and assault. graffiti covers almost all public surfaces and I have lost count of how many junkies I need to step over when I walk home from work.

edit. I am clearly being sarcastic. some neighborhoods aren't really safe but most are fine. you will be fine. have him look up the per capita crime rate; this is a very safe city.